South-west Victorian dairy farmer Ben Bennett will nominate for a director’s role with Australian Dairy Farmers, hoping to bring a “bottom-up” approach to advocating for farmers.
Mr Bennett farms at Pomborneit with his wife Kylee and five children, and said his main priority as a director would be to get processes and procedures in place to give farmers a voice.
“If the set-up is right, the policies will follow from the grassroots,” he said.
The current chairman of the Corangamite UDV branch, Mr Bennett said farmers need someone willing to stand up for their interests.
“We need to be acutely aware of the regulatory setting that is being imposed on us,” he said.
“We’re drowning in red tape and it’s draining. We need advocates who can cut through this on behalf of farmers.
“Victoria produces 65 per cent of Australia’s milk and needs a strong voice.
“I’m passionate about the dairy industry, and would be a strong advocate for grassroots farmers.
“City people are somewhat disconnected to the real needs of farmers and we need a process for grassroots representation and professional advocacy to take up the challenge and give us practical and tangible changes.
“We have lots of issues — everything from labour, animal welfare, what to do with effluent, energy supply, road networks — and farmers are frustrated that they’re not being heard.
“A lot of the issues that need addressing are based around structure and we need to get that right and build it from the bottom-up.”
Mr Bennett said he would stand for the position being vacated by current chair, Victorian Terry Richardson, later this year.
The Bennetts purchased their 300ha farm in 2005, a year after migrating from New Zealand for better opportunities to buy land.
ADF is seeking to fill two director vacancies — one following the retirement of Mr Richardson, and the other a casual vacancy currently held by Colin Thompson.
The elections will be contested at the ADF AGM, which will be held via a virtual platform on Thursday, November 25.